Hype

Hype trains are built to, eventually, crash. Think about companies like Theranos, WeWork, and FTX. Once touted as examples of innovative and breakthrough companies, have now been exposed for being utter nonsense. Digital freight startup, Convoy, suddenly announced that they are shutting down operations. Once a magnet for VC money and high-profile investors, their lack […]

The Profitable Corner

When I first started at Ralph Lauren in 2015, sales were mediocre for Lauren. The UK wasn’t doing as well as Germany or France and no one really knew why. Margins were eroding, profitability was down and excess inventory was piling up. These things were not good for business and I had to get to […]

It’s Not You. It’s Me.

We presented yesterday in NYC for the Canadian Consulate General’s Technology Accelerator program. Our discussion focused on process innovation in retail and how that impacts the adoption of technology. Why is this particularly important right now? Well, Results from a recent PwC survey show that only 17% of supply chain executives say that technology implementations […]

I was talking to DVF…

Our friends at the Accessories Council invited me to an intimate event at the beautiful Rizzoli bookstore for Diane Von Furstenburg’s book launch.  DVF embodies women before fashion and she did not disappoint. She told a vivid story of how she started the brand by becoming an expert on prints and jersey, but not quite […]

Born (to enter) in the USA

We are thrilled to be a part of the ongoing success story that is the Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) program by the Consulate of Canada in New York City, focusing on US Retail Tech. For several years now, this program has been a game-changer for Canadian startups, providing invaluable support for their growth. This year, […]

Dynamics

In high school chemistry, our teacher presented a lesson on molecular motion. He showed us the three ways that a molecule moves. Translation: It moves from one place to another. Rotation: It spins around. Vibration: It shakes.  And our teacher would act out each one individually. The follow-up lesson was that none of these happen […]

Off-Center

A new drinking game – take a shot anytime someone in retail mentions the term “customer-centric.” Or some variation thereof. “Put the customer in the center of all decision making”  “More data, insights and analytics will make us more customer-centric.” “We’re embracing customer-centricity in our buying strategy.” If we translate what retailers are really trying […]